The Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST), an organization directly connected to the Iranian Government, is charged with evaluating and advising policy makers on science and technology issues. They are also host to a large FTP server full of pirated software. Searching the FTP you will be able to find a wide range of applications all legal to download and use if you are an Iranian citizen.

The FTP server, which was discovered by TorrentFreak, was open to anyone around the world but shortly after being discovered access was cut off. Initially they password protected the FTP and then they cut off access completely to anyone outside of Iran. The server was host to multiple versions of software applications including: Microsoft Office 97 to 2010 or Photoshop 5.5 through CS3 along with appropriate serial numbers, cracks and keygens.

Hosting a site full of pirated software is not illegal in Iran. The copyright law in Iran only covers works created by citizens of the country, music, movies, applications and games created anywhere else are not covered under the law so they are free to be shared.

Iran is a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) whose purpose is to promoted the protection of intellectual property throughout the world. But has yet to actually sign the WIPO copyright treaty or any of the other international copyright agreements that would make pirating software illegal.